Optical fiber connection system including optical fiber alignment device

Abstract

A self-centering structure ( 300 ) for aligning optical fibers ( 308 ) desired to be optically coupled together is disclosed. The self-centering structure ( 300 ) including a body ( 310 ) having a first end ( 312 ) and a second end ( 314 ). The first end ( 312 ) defines a first opening ( 303 ) and the second end ( 314 ) defines a second opening ( 304 ). The self-centering structure ( 300 ) includes a plurality of groove structures ( 306 ) integrally formed in the body ( 310 ) of the self-centering structure for receiving the optical fibers ( 308 ) and a fiber alignment region ( 305 ) positioned at an intermediate location between the first and second ends ( 312, 314 ) to facilitate centering and alignment of the optical fibers ( 308 ). The plurality of cantilever members ( 322 ) is flexible and configured for urging the optical fibers ( 308 ) into their respective groove structures ( 306 ).

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An optical fiber alignment device comprising:
 at least first and second parts that fit together to form a fiber alignment unit, the first part defining a plurality of parallel grooves sized for receiving optical fibers, the second part including a plurality of elastic beams for generating biasing forces for pressing the optical fibers into the grooves.   
     
     
         3 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic beams are parallel to the grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the grooves are V-grooves. 
     
     
         5 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second parts are press-fit together. 
     
     
         6 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein each of the elastic beams corresponds to only one of the grooves. 
     
     
         7 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein at least portions of the elastic beams angle toward the grooves. 
     
     
         8 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic beams have lengths that extend along lengths of the grooves. 
     
     
         9 . The optical fiber alignment device of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic beams includes projections that extend from bodies of the elastic beams toward the grooves. 
     
     
         10 . A fiber alignment assembly comprising:
 a first structure defining a plurality of grooves for receiving a plurality of optical fibers; and   a second structure including first and second sets of elastic beams for generating biasing forces for pressing the plurality of optical fibers into the plurality of grooves;   wherein the first and second sets of elastic beams have free ends and base ends, the base ends being unitarily formed with the second structure; and   wherein the first and second sets of elastic beams are oriented in opposite directions with the free ends of the first set of elastic beams opposing the free ends of the second set of elastic beams.   
     
     
         11 . The fiber alignment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second sets of elastic beams are separated into independent elastic beams by slots defined in the main body. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber alignment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second sets of elastic beams are parallel to the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The fiber alignment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of grooves are V-grooves. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber alignment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second structures are press-fit together. 
     
     
         15 . The fiber alignment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second sets of elastic beams include projections that extend from respective bodies of the first and second sets of elastic beams toward the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         16 . A method for co-axially aligning first and second optical fibers to provide an optical coupling between the first and second optical fibers, the method comprising:
 positioning the first and second optical fibers in an alignment groove defined in a first part of an alignment device, end faces of the first and second optical fibers opposing each other at an optical interface; and   pressing the first and second optical fibers into the alignment groove via biasing forces generated by elastic beams of a second part of the alignment device;   wherein the elastic beams each have free ends and base ends, the base ends being unitarily formed with the second part of the alignment device; and   wherein the elastic beams include a first elastic beam and a second elastic beam, wherein the first and second elastic beams are oriented in opposite directions with the free end of the first elastic beam opposing the free end of the second elastic beam.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the elastic beams directly engage and press the first and second optical fibers toward the alignment groove. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the alignment groove is a V-groove. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second parts are press-fit together. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least portions of the elastic beams angle toward the alignment groove. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the elastic beams each include projections that extend from bodies of the elastic beams toward the alignment groove.